CONWAY, Ark. (AP) – Parker McKinney scored on a 40-yard run midway through the fourth quarter, Joseph Sayles blocked Hayden Ray’s attempt at a game-tying field goal and Eastern Kentucky scored 25 unanswered points to stun Central Arkansas 38-35 in the ASUN-WAC Challenge on Saturday.
The Colonels (5-1, 2-0) trailed 35-13 after Central Arkansas (2-4, 1-2) used Darius Hale’s 6-yard TD run to cap a five-play, 75-yard drive with 8:13 left in the third quarter. Patrick Nations started the EKU run at the 3:11 mark with his third field goal of the game. Kmare Carey set up the next score when he forced and recovered a fumble by Christian Richmond on the ensuing kickoff at the Bears’ 15-yard line. Four plays later, McKinney connected with Jayden Higgins for a 5-yard TD and hit Jaden Smith for the 2-point conversion to pull the Colonels within 35-24 heading to the final quarter.
After a three-and-out by Central Arkansas, McKinney directed a seven-play, 62-yard drive – ending with Kyeandre Magloire’s 4-yard TD run – in 100 seconds. The 2-point try failed and left EKU trailing 35-30 with 13:08 remaining in the game. McKinney came up with his go-ahead TD run on the Colonels’ next possession and then connected with Smith for the 2-point conversion and a 38-35 lead. The Bears drove down to the EKU 28-yard line before the drive stalled with 2:14 left to play, setting up Sayles’ block.
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